A Closed RoadCheck outTwin Tunnels Trail, Hood River, Oregon
This 4.5-mile section of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, a reclaimed, nearly 100-year-old scenic highway, winds along bluffs overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. At the end of the car-free portion, Old US Highway 30 offers more miles of peaceful, lightly used roads. Also try Bicycle Sundays, Canada Road, Belmont, California; Weekends on Beach Drive, Washington, DC.

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A Bike PathCheck outWest Orange Trail, Winter Garden, Florida
Ride this rail-trail from Killarney Station (where you'll find bike rentals, snacks, and restrooms) 5 miles into Winter Garden. Grab lunch at one of the town's picturesque cafés, or keep riding—the path continues for another 22 miles around Lake Apopka just noting that this doesn't describe any scenery at all, except for a lake with a long history of pollution problems. This might be great, but we should at least make a case that that's so, right? If not, there are others out there, like the one the runs from DC to Pittsburgh. Also try Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail, Ashland City, Tennessee; Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail, Muskegon, Michigan.

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A Park RoadCheck outFort Hunt Park, Alexandria, Virginia
The ruins of subterranean concrete barracks are the only evidence of the park's 100-year-old military history. Today, the tree-lined 1.25-mile road (with a separate car lane) makes for an ideal initiation for new cyclists. In spring and summer, park rangers offer free learn-to-ride classes. Also try Bear Creek Park, Houston; Ault Park Drive, Cincinnati.

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A Dirt/Gravel TrailCheck outPeavine Trail, Prescott, Arizona
Take in views of the towering Granite Dells rock formation and sparkling Watson Lake while pedaling on this former railbed, now lined with crushed stone and dirt. The extra-wide trail serves up 5 continuous miles of rolling terrain until the turnaround at a gravel-covered railroad bridge. Also try Junction and Breakwater Trail, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; Augusta Canal Trail, Georgia.

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Smooth SingletrackCheck outChina Camp, Marin County, California
This once-bustling fishing village offers 15 miles of mountain-bike trails in Marin County (considered the sport's birthplace). The newbie-friendly Shoreline Trail climbs gradually to offer sweeping views of San Francisco Bay. Also try South Valley Park, Littleton, Colorado; Guanga River State Park, Saint Augustine, Florida.